LICENSING OF IMPORTS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25935, 15 October 1949, Page 8

LICENSING OF IMPORTS

SCHEDULE FOR NEXT YEAR SIX-MONTHLY PERIOD FOR DOLLAR GOODS The general procedure for the issue of import licences in 1950 would be similar to that for the 1949 period, but a system of half-yeany licences would be introduced tor imports from Canada and the United States, said the Minister of Customs (Mr Nash) in a statement yesterday, when the import licensing schedule for next year was announced. “Licences will cover the period January 1 to December 31, 1950, but will be available for imports up to February 28, 1951,” said Mr Nash. “Basic allocations have been provided wherever this has been found practicable and, with a view to eliminating the necessity to apply for additional licences, such allocations have in most cases been related to licences granted for imports in 1949.” The necessity to conserve overseas funds to meet essential import requirements still existed, he continued. It was still too early to judge the effect that the recent adjustment in the value of the £ sterling to the dollar might have on the cost of certain imports, as well as on the return which New Zealand might receive from exports, particularly wool. “In the circumstances it will be evident that there is no scope for any general extension of the issue of licences,” ne said. It was more than ever necessary to use the country’s own resources to a maximum. “So long as goods from our own factories are reasonably competitive in price and quality with imported goods and can be produced in New Zealand in sufficient quantity to meet requirements, licences will not be granted for imports,” Mr Nash said. “Accordingly there is a great opportunity for manufacturers in New Zealand to catei for our needs where there is scope for efficient production. Hard Currency Areas Although an endeavour would te made to provide for essential imports. from hard currency areas within the! limitations imposed by the available' amount of the currency of those coun- | tries, special care was necessary to en- : sure that the drain on such vunds was reduced to a minimum. Accordingly. | basic allocations would not apply to j imports from Canada, the United States of America. Belgium or Switzerland, and anv applications for licences to import from those countries would be considered individually. There was, he said, an obligation on importers to assist by limiting as far as practicable, applications for licences to import from those areas.

The system of half-yearly licences for imports from Canada and the United States was necessary to enable a closer control over commitments of dollar funds to be maintained. Licences on those countries would be issued for the half-yearly periods January 1. 1950. to June 30. 1950. and July 1, 1950. to December 31, 1950. In the meantime it was proposed to grant licences for the first half-yearly period only, but importers could submit now applications covering each half-yearly period. It was desired that payments to the dollar area over the period ending June 30. 1950. ''hould be kept as low as possible, and importers would assist by refraining from making impo”ts or payments during that period if it could be avoided without detriment to essential interests.

The procedure of granting licences for token imports from the United Kingdom, which was instituted in 1949, would be continued in 1950. Some additions were made to the items co. ered by such arrangement. The numeration of items in the licensing schedule had been brought into line with that in the recently issued tariff book, concluded Mr Nash.